Police chief says justice too late for shop theft

Justice for shoplifters comes "too late" because of delays in the system and should be a funding priority, a chief constable has said.

Paul Sanford, who leads Norfolk Police, praised the work of officers but said investment was needed in speeding up sentencing for offenders.

His comments come after Home Office data showed shoplifting offences dropped by 10% in the county in 2025/26 compared with the previous year. The force remained the most successful for identifying suspects.

"I think the thing that concerns me most is that, too often, the sanction is too late after the crime," he told BBC Radio Norfolk.

"Whether that be because of delays in the court system, because offenders are bailed awaiting sentencing, because of waiting lists for treatment orders - I think that's where we need to make the investment."

He added investment would be an "economically very sensible thing to do" because of the impact such crime had on the High Street.

The Ministry of Justice has been contacted for comment.

Figures show 28% of shoplifting investigations were closed with no suspect - the lowest percentage in the country.

Norfolk Police had taken shop theft seriously for several years, Sanford added, with other forces consulting with its officers.

"The results are pleasing, but offences do remain stubbornly high, so we do need to keep at it," he explained.

"Most of our success is down to our hardworking officers - they are relentless in targeting this criminality," Sanford said.

He said tackling shoplifting was a "team game" between the force and retailers.

Sanford also called for "adequately-resourced support services" for offenders who may be driven by alcohol or drug addictions.

However, he acknowledged that victims need to "see justice being done" and raised concerns about the relevancy and speed of sentencing.

"That's a very important part of the system, so a balance has to be struck," he said.

A Home Office spokesperson said: "For too long, retail crime has been dismissed as low-level offending. It harms shopworkers, damages businesses and hollows out communities.

"We are making it a specific criminal offence to assault a retail worker because no one should go to work fearing for their safety."

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